Forbidden Histories
@forbiddenhistories.bsky.social
Understanding historical complexities of science-magic relationships. By Dr. Andreas Sommer (occasionally foul-mouthed researcher, formerly at Cambridge University). https://www.forbiddenhistories.com/
Pinned
Introduction: From Magic to Science? | Forbidden Histories
Introduction to Forbidden Histories - evidence-based history of science & magic that will boggle your mind. :)
Also make sure to visit the Forbidden Histories Website.
forbiddenhistories.podbean.com
The latest addition to the FH multimedia universe: The podcast, where contents are discussed in an entertaining dialogue format.
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
How the founder of German psychology scoffed & pathologized unorthodox science out of intellectual discourse – and tried to alter the historical record in due course. Plug for my recent article in the @spr1882.bsky.social encyclopedia. www.forbiddenhistories.com/2025/10/wundt
October 8, 2025 at 12:27 PM
How the founder of German psychology scoffed & pathologized unorthodox science out of intellectual discourse – and tried to alter the historical record in due course. Plug for my recent article in the @spr1882.bsky.social encyclopedia. www.forbiddenhistories.com/2025/10/wundt
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
Hello!
In case you don't know me, I'm a freelance editor, translator, and humanities scholar, specializing in TTRPGs, as well as magic and the occult.
My research reconstructs the cosmologies, epistemologies, and practices of historical individuals who engaged with various esoteric disciplines.
In case you don't know me, I'm a freelance editor, translator, and humanities scholar, specializing in TTRPGs, as well as magic and the occult.
My research reconstructs the cosmologies, epistemologies, and practices of historical individuals who engaged with various esoteric disciplines.
January 9, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Hello!
In case you don't know me, I'm a freelance editor, translator, and humanities scholar, specializing in TTRPGs, as well as magic and the occult.
My research reconstructs the cosmologies, epistemologies, and practices of historical individuals who engaged with various esoteric disciplines.
In case you don't know me, I'm a freelance editor, translator, and humanities scholar, specializing in TTRPGs, as well as magic and the occult.
My research reconstructs the cosmologies, epistemologies, and practices of historical individuals who engaged with various esoteric disciplines.
Nice: a major exhibition on #ghosts & #spirits in western #art is coming to the #KunstmuseumBasel in my current home town. It’s supposed to kick off on 20 September, so expect to see a brief report & pics.
August 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Nice: a major exhibition on #ghosts & #spirits in western #art is coming to the #KunstmuseumBasel in my current home town. It’s supposed to kick off on 20 September, so expect to see a brief report & pics.
The Guardian reviews the recent biography of legendary British ghost-hunter, Tony Cornell (the co-author, with the late Alan Gauld, of a classical study of poltergeist cases): www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Chasing the Dark by Ben Machell review – the original ghostbuster
An entrancing biography of Tony Cornell, who displayed a scientist’s commitment to impartiality as he investigated the paranormal
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The Guardian reviews the recent biography of legendary British ghost-hunter, Tony Cornell (the co-author, with the late Alan Gauld, of a classical study of poltergeist cases): www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
New podcast episode: Forgotten pioneers of the subconscious mind (Carl du Prel & Frederic Myers) on temple sleep, oracles, and other ancient magical practices. youtu.be/Cgr0cDxxmGE?...
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
Ancient Magic and the Unconscious Mind
YouTube video by Forbidden Histories
youtu.be
August 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
New podcast episode: Forgotten pioneers of the subconscious mind (Carl du Prel & Frederic Myers) on temple sleep, oracles, and other ancient magical practices. youtu.be/Cgr0cDxxmGE?...
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
In case you guys know something - or know someone who knows something about Hans Christian Andersen & #spirittualism. 🧐
Any Hans Christian Andersen experts following me? Came across an issue of The Spiritualist for which he seems to have written as a correspondent... including on William Crookes and the psychic force. Was this really him? iapsop.com/archive/mate...
iapsop.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
In case you guys know something - or know someone who knows something about Hans Christian Andersen & #spirittualism. 🧐
Harry Price and the Senate House Library: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq5f...
Harry Price and the Senate House Library
YouTube video by Gāst
www.youtube.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM
New podcast episode: Forgotten pioneers of the subconscious mind (Carl du Prel & Frederic Myers) on temple sleep, oracles, and other ancient magical practices. youtu.be/Cgr0cDxxmGE?...
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
Ancient Magic and the Unconscious Mind
YouTube video by Forbidden Histories
youtu.be
August 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
New podcast episode: Forgotten pioneers of the subconscious mind (Carl du Prel & Frederic Myers) on temple sleep, oracles, and other ancient magical practices. youtu.be/Cgr0cDxxmGE?...
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
If you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like, share and subscribe! 🙏🥹
This is insane! I just wrote to Yvette Cooper, please consider doing the same.
The brilliant @lmbd1418.bsky.social has suggested people write to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper re: my case. If you could spare five minutes, she's created a draft letter which you can use to send to coopery@parliament.uk. I appreciate everyone's support. ❤️
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
August 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
This is insane! I just wrote to Yvette Cooper, please consider doing the same.
Oh look, the FH podcast is now also on Youtube: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Forbidden Histories - YouTube
Deep-dive conversations about the hidden history of science & magic, curated by Dr. Andreas Sommer. Episodes in English and German. Dialoge über die verborge...
www.youtube.com
August 2, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Oh look, the FH podcast is now also on Youtube: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Uhm, this. 👇
The reason historians don’t now use the term ‘witch hunts’ as a generalised term for the prosecution of people for witchcraft is that it implies witchcraft was always prosecuted in a different way compared to other crimes - it wasn’t
The witch hunts of 1400-1780 and today's misinformation crisis have striking parallels.
Both were fueled by new media technologies that allowed false information to spread rapidly and widely. buff.ly/6RFALyJ By Julie Walsh @wellesley.edu
Both were fueled by new media technologies that allowed false information to spread rapidly and widely. buff.ly/6RFALyJ By Julie Walsh @wellesley.edu
August 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Uhm, this. 👇
Honk if you miss the good old days, when academic publishers still had the decency to at least send a complementary hardcopy of the journal issue with your article. 📯
August 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Honk if you miss the good old days, when academic publishers still had the decency to at least send a complementary hardcopy of the journal issue with your article. 📯
4 episodes (each in English & German) already available. Would be keen to hear what you lovely people think! 🥹
The latest addition to the FH multimedia universe: The podcast, where contents are discussed in an entertaining dialogue format.
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
Introduction: From Magic to Science? | Forbidden Histories
Introduction to Forbidden Histories - evidence-based history of science & magic that will boggle your mind. :)
Also make sure to visit the Forbidden Histories Website.
forbiddenhistories.podbean.com
July 30, 2025 at 10:41 AM
4 episodes (each in English & German) already available. Would be keen to hear what you lovely people think! 🥹
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
James also thinks inquiry needs to be conducted in a scientific fashion, but especially in philosophical inquiry, he doesn't think this should be done using jargon, in a technical fashion. James's outlook here is evolutionary… amphilos.blogspot.com/2025/07/an-i...
An interview with Alexander Klein
William James, Where All Consciousness Is Motor - 3:16 ...James also thinks inquiry needs to be conducted in a scientific fashion, but espec...
amphilos.blogspot.com
July 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
James also thinks inquiry needs to be conducted in a scientific fashion, but especially in philosophical inquiry, he doesn't think this should be done using jargon, in a technical fashion. James's outlook here is evolutionary… amphilos.blogspot.com/2025/07/an-i...
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
August is the time for reaping.
#medievalcalendar
Bodleian Library MS. Rawl. D. 939; Astrological and ecclesiastical calendar in six pieces; 14th century; England; section 2ar @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
#medievalcalendar
Bodleian Library MS. Rawl. D. 939; Astrological and ecclesiastical calendar in six pieces; 14th century; England; section 2ar @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
July 29, 2025 at 8:21 AM
August is the time for reaping.
#medievalcalendar
Bodleian Library MS. Rawl. D. 939; Astrological and ecclesiastical calendar in six pieces; 14th century; England; section 2ar @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
#medievalcalendar
Bodleian Library MS. Rawl. D. 939; Astrological and ecclesiastical calendar in six pieces; 14th century; England; section 2ar @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
The latest addition to the FH multimedia universe: The podcast, where contents are discussed in an entertaining dialogue format.
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
Introduction: From Magic to Science? | Forbidden Histories
Introduction to Forbidden Histories - evidence-based history of science & magic that will boggle your mind. :)
Also make sure to visit the Forbidden Histories Website.
forbiddenhistories.podbean.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:56 AM
The latest addition to the FH multimedia universe: The podcast, where contents are discussed in an entertaining dialogue format.
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
Each episode can be streamed & downloaded in English & German. Here is the introduction (in English): forbiddenhistories.podbean.com/e/introducti...
Enjoy!
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
Happy 498th birthday to English mathematician, occultist, and court astronomer/advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, John Dee.
Here's one of the wax seals (in the British Museum) used in the 'Enochian magic' practiced by Dee and his scryer Edward Kelley, through which they (apparently) spoke with angels.
Here's one of the wax seals (in the British Museum) used in the 'Enochian magic' practiced by Dee and his scryer Edward Kelley, through which they (apparently) spoke with angels.
July 14, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Happy 498th birthday to English mathematician, occultist, and court astronomer/advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, John Dee.
Here's one of the wax seals (in the British Museum) used in the 'Enochian magic' practiced by Dee and his scryer Edward Kelley, through which they (apparently) spoke with angels.
Here's one of the wax seals (in the British Museum) used in the 'Enochian magic' practiced by Dee and his scryer Edward Kelley, through which they (apparently) spoke with angels.
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
Pinker has been a loud-and-proud voice for anti-intellectualism and a promoter of chin-stroking race-science platforms such as Quillette for a decade.
This isn't lack of awareness. It's an attempt to protect his extremely lucrative brand from association with the causes that helped build it.
This isn't lack of awareness. It's an attempt to protect his extremely lucrative brand from association with the causes that helped build it.
incredible lack of self-awareness from Pinker here
May 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Pinker has been a loud-and-proud voice for anti-intellectualism and a promoter of chin-stroking race-science platforms such as Quillette for a decade.
This isn't lack of awareness. It's an attempt to protect his extremely lucrative brand from association with the causes that helped build it.
This isn't lack of awareness. It's an attempt to protect his extremely lucrative brand from association with the causes that helped build it.
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
Living in Switzerland now, I thought it was high time to produce more output in my German mother language. If you read German, or know folks who may be interested, feel free to share zis: @andreassommer.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Living in Switzerland now, I thought it was high time to produce more output in my German mother language. If you read German, or know folks who may be interested, feel free to share zis: @andreassommer.bsky.social
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
...oh, and zis: www.facebook.com/profile.php?... 🫣
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM
...oh, and zis: www.facebook.com/profile.php?... 🫣
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
Original testimony of Abigail Williams from the Salem Witch Trials, 1692.
Now located in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
Now located in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
May 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Original testimony of Abigail Williams from the Salem Witch Trials, 1692.
Now located in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
Now located in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
Some personal thoughts on the recent death of the historian of science, Mario Biagioli #histsci
thonyc.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/m...
thonyc.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/m...
Mario Biagioli (1955–2025)
Over the years I have gained a reputation for being extremely negative about Galileo Galilei and his supposed achievements and contributions to the evolution of science. As I point out from time to…
thonyc.wordpress.com
May 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Some personal thoughts on the recent death of the historian of science, Mario Biagioli #histsci
thonyc.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/m...
thonyc.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/m...
Reposted by Forbidden Histories
Raiders of the Lost Ark face melting scene
YouTube video by Fave Movie Clips
youtu.be
May 23, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Living in Switzerland now, I thought it was high time to produce more output in my German mother language. If you read German, or know folks who may be interested, feel free to share zis: @andreassommer.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Living in Switzerland now, I thought it was high time to produce more output in my German mother language. If you read German, or know folks who may be interested, feel free to share zis: @andreassommer.bsky.social